From October 14 to 20, 2024, Bharat Soka Gakkai (BSG) held its second Plastic Collection Drive in Mumbai, uniting the city in a mission to take meaningful action against plastic waste. Over 5,000 BSG members and Mumbai citizens came together with a common goal: to reduce the city’s plastic burden and contribute to a more sustainable future. Through these collective and inspiring efforts, BSG successfully collected and recycled 10,425 kgs of plastic waste in just six days, preventing it from ending up in landfills and making a significant impact on the environment—demonstrating the transformative power of community-driven action.
Building on the success of the 2023 drive in Delhi NCR, where an impressive 27,726 kgs of plastic were collected and recycled, BSG partnered with the 5R-Cycle Foundation and Bisleri’s Bottles for Change initiative to make a similarly powerful impact in Mumbai this year.
The collection drive was officially launched on October 14 at the BSG Culture Center in Mumbai, with a special keynote address by Ms. Prachi Shevgaonkar, climate entrepreneur and founder of the ‘Cool the Globe’ app. Her words stirred the audience into action: “When people unite for climate change, miracles can happen.”
The launch event was widely covered in the Indian media.
The campaign first began internally within BSG’s Mumbai membership on August 8, 2024. A collective goal of 10,000 kgs was set, with each BSG district in Mumbai aiming to save at least 25 kgs of plastic waste. Since then, members worked tirelessly, igniting a wave of enthusiasm in their communities. What started as individual efforts quickly grew into a movement, with friends, family, and neighbors joining in. Many districts exceeded their initial 25 kg targets, with some collecting up to 300 kgs of plastic waste.
Members went above and beyond to contribute to the cause, showcasing the power of community-led action. Here are some remarkable stories:
- During festivities, few members convinced the event organizers to contribute all used water bottles and other plastic waste to the drive.
- Few other members collaborated with their local vegetable sellers and grocers, collecting their plastic waste for the initiative.
- Many members reached out to salons, cafes, restaurants, clinics, and nursing homes, gathering plastic waste.
- One member printed flyers and distributed them in his residential society, spreading awareness about the drive and urging others to participate.
- Countless other members mobilized and rallied their friends, families, and colleagues to be part of this effort, showcasing how one person’s initiative can spark a broader movement.
The benefits of this drive extended far beyond the immediate impact of removing plastic waste from the environment.
- It spread joy and solidarity across BSG’s membership, uniting them around a shared cause.
- Many members stepped out of their comfort zones to engage in meaningful dialogue with others, sharing BSG’s mission and goals.
- Society at large expressed deep appreciation for BSG’s efforts to contribute to the SDGs, fostering goodwill and collaboration.
- Many members adopted sustainable behaviours as a lifestyle, becoming more conscious of the environmental impact of their daily actions.
- It also deepened members’ understanding of founding President of SGI – Daisaku Ikeda’s guidance on contributing to society and creating lasting value.
Even BSG’s collection partners were impressed. Dr. Smita Birkar from 5RCycle said, “The real magicians were the members who made this happen. We realize how difficult it must have been for them to achieve such a monumental task.”
Although the BSG plastic collection drive 2024 has officially concluded, it’s only the beginning of BSG’s long-term commitment to sustainability. Members are determined to continue their eco-friendly practices—segregating waste, recycling plastics, and leading by example. The vision is to shape a future where sustainability is not just a goal but a way of life.
With unwavering determination, BSG members are set to become leaders of sustainable change across the nation, shaping a world where sustainability is woven into the fabric of daily life.
